My aunt, Joan Bailey, who has died aged 91, was a hugely generous character, committed to helping improve the lives of people less fortunate than herself.
She worked as a nurse for many years, then moved into social work at Springfield hospital in Tooting, south-west London, which specialises in mental health. She finished her career as a social worker in Wandsworth, but continued to volunteer in healthcare, firstly as an HIV buddy for the Terrence Higgins Trust and more recently as a healer.
Joan was a committed supporter of the NHS and would voice her opinion at any protest against cuts to funding, even standing on the picket line in her 80s to fight against a planned closure of the A&E services at Charing Cross hospital. She would always stand up for her beliefs, which invariably centred on supporting those who often did not have a voice.
She was also extraordinarily generous, not just with the huge number of charitable donations she made, but with her patience and time.
Joan was the oldest of the five children of Grace (nee Kelsey) and Alfred Murrell, and was born in Dorking, Surrey, where her father ran a newsagent’s. When she was small, the family moved to run one in London. During the second world war, her mother worked in a munitions factory, and Joan and her brother Mick and sister Lucy were evacuated to Milton, near Northampton. This experience set Joan against village life as she experienced and witnessed prejudice, and got into trouble for standing up to it.
The family moved around London as Alfred operated the business in different areas, which meant that Joan’s education was disrupted. After the war the family settled back in Dorking, where she finished secondary school, then went straight to nursing college. She met Derek Bailey while nursing on a tuberculosis ward – he was one of the patients – and they were married in 1956.
Although university had not been an option for her, Joan had a love of learning, driven by a limitless curiosity about the world. She travelled extensively, exploring the arts and culture and history of countries as well as just sightseeing; in her 70s she gained an A-level in art history and she regularly attended lectures, readings and exhibitions across London.
She had a sharp mind until her gentle last days and delighted in the recent governmental turmoil. Her nieces and nephews will miss her wit and wisdom.
Derek predeceased her. She is survived by her brother Brian, nine nieces and nephews and 14 great-nieces and nephews.